HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/06/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session-11ISt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
M I N N E S O T A CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
JUNE 19, 2017
The meeting convened at 6:15 p.m
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg,
Anne Mavity, Thom Miller.
Councilmember absent: Susan Sanger
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Chief Financial Officer (Mr. Simon), Finance
Supervisor (Mr. Ebensteiner), Communications Manager (Ms. Larson), and Recording Secretary
(Ms. Pappas).
Guest: David Mol - Partner, Redpath.
1. Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 —
Auditors Discussion and Review
Mr. Mol presented the audit review, noting the results of the audit provided an unmodified or
clean opinion of the 2016 financial statements. He also noted that for the past 33 years the City
of St. Louis Park has received the GFOA award for excellence in financial reporting. The city
will submit for this award again with 2016 results, as well.
Councilmember Hallfin thanked staff for the fine job on the report. Mr. Harmening also thanked
staff, saying this work requires diligence by the Finance Department and by other departments,
as well.
Mayor Spano asked Mr. Mol what the auditors did not analyze. Mr. Mol stated the auditors did
not audit the city's internal controls but gained an understanding of the city's internal controls to
determine adequate audit procedures. He added that with internal controls they look more into
personnel records and data related to payroll and receipting processes. Mr. Mol added that the
current processes and procedures provide adequate segregation of duties, so not one person is
performing all aspects of the financial process.
2. St. Louis Park Policing Model/Critical Incident Planning
Chief Harcey noted the staff report and stated he was available for questions from the council.
Mr. I-Iarmening stated this topic has been discussed in the past and also at the most recent council
workshop. The report explains in depth St. Louis Park's Critical Incident Planning Model and
presents a proposal for council's review. He added that if the council approves, staff will provide
more discussion time at future study sessions later this summer and fall.
Councilmember Mavity stated that at the city council retreat, she felt the consensus of the
council at that time was to have St. Louis Park provide the lightest touch possible and draw the
line further out on enforcing immigration status. She continued that she did not see that included
in this report from staff. Chief Harcey stated in looking at the training process, with immigration
being one of those topics, implicit bias in policing is another area to cover, along with use of
force procedures. He noted this is part of the discussion tonight.
Study Session Minutes -2- June 19, 2017
Councilmember Mavity added it will be helpful for the council to more fully understand this
topic, adding it is her understanding that St. Louis Park police never ask about immigration
status. If there is a request from ICE, our police will make a decision on what to do based on that
request. She asked if this is true. Mr. Harmening stated yes, that is correct.
Councilmember Lindberg added he understands how this plays out in specific situations and
asked what needs to happen in order to make good policy decisions. Mr. Harmening stated this
all falls into training our officers on de-escalation perspectives, noting these are topics that can
be discussed further with council, along with other training areas, including dealing with
residents with mental health issues.
Councilmember Brausen stated he likes the general timeline of the outline and wants to
understand it as well as possible before beginning policy discussions. He asked if the policy
discussions will begin now or wait until January when the new councilmembers' terms begin.
Mr. Harmening proposed this begin as soon as possible. He added that candidates for city
council would be invited to these study session discussions as well.
Councilmember Miller stated that he is excited to see this policing model roll out, given current
events and situations happening across the state and the nation. He asked if there is any
opportunity for a public component and if more communication with residents would provide a
greater benefit.
Councilmember Brausen asked if discussion about area #4 in the report would involve a closed
session for the council. Mr. Harmening stated if there were a serious incident in St. Louis Park
involving an officer, council would be asked to meet to discuss the situation.
Councilmember Mavity added that the Police Advisory Commission and the Human Rights
Commission should also be invited into the discussion. She added this would be helpful and
transparent.
Councilmember Miller asked about ongoing tools to measure police officer performance as they
interact with the public. Chief Harcey stated this data is available in the force's annual report,
which will be available later this week.
Councilmember Hallfrn stated he has always felt good about the city's police force and the way
incidents are handled, but he realizes that there always could be that one time where things could
go wrong. He added that over the years, he has had multiple conversations with the police chief
and officers and has asked tough questions. He stated they have always had answers for him,
including answers he had not thought of. He has full trust in the city's police force. He stated it is
important for the force to know the council is supportive of them in all that they do. Chief
Harcey agreed and stated that police staff is supportive of this good relationship with council. He
invited councilmembers to participate in a ride -along with police officers at any time.
Mayor Spann noted he has been asked if the city tracks race on traffic stops. He would like to
have a discussion on how the St. Louis Park police do this. IIe added he is curious how the
police force talks about these issues during the training process and with potential new hires and
how the St. Louis Park's community -oriented policing model compares to other models.
Mr. Harmening stated staff will schedule further discussions on this topic for an August study
session.
Study Session Minutes -3-
The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m.
4—'L
Melis Kenne y, City Clerk
June 19. 2017